SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS, November 1, 2026
(Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12)
To almost everyone, the Book of Revelation seems strange.
Perhaps we have tried to read it without much satisfaction. If we think of it
as a prophecy of the final war against weird beasts, we should reconsider its
purpose. The title itself provides a key to its true meaning. The word
"Revelation" comes from two Latin words: re, meaning "again,"
and velare, meaning "to cover" or “to veil.” Revelation aims to pull back the veil that
covers the truth of Jesus Christ.
Revelation was written during the persecution of Christians
at the end of the first century. Believers were martyred for not worshipping
the emperor. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the book seeks to encourage believers
to resist persecution and worship Jesus Christ as Lord. It reveals the liturgy
of heaven in which men and women participate when they attend Mass.
The evidence for this is compelling, even if subtle. It
opens on the Lord's Day, Sunday, the day we attend Mass. John, the narrator,
says: “…grace and peace from him who is, and who was, and who is to come,” as
the priest greets us at the beginning of every Mass. Then John recites the sins
of the seven churches of Asia Minor as the penitential act. Afterward, the
priest is taken to heaven where he sees a book, written on both sides, but
sealed. Only the Lamb, who is Christ, can open it. The book contains the biblical
readings for Mass, which speak of the same Christ.
During the heavenly liturgy, the refrain, “Holy, holy,
holy…” is heard, just as at Mass. Today's first reading describes the
participants in the liturgy. We can think of the 144,000 men and women as the
saints declared by the Church. We can think of the other, much larger group as
the unknown saints -- perhaps our own parents and grandparents -- who lived
with love for both God and neighbor.
There are various other parallels between our Mass and the
liturgy revealed to John in heaven, but we will mention only one more now.
Toward the end of the book, an angel declares, “Blessed are those who are
invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” These are almost the same words the
priest pronounces before Communion at Mass.
Revelation reveals the nature of the Mass. Much more than a
simple gathering of believers, the Mass is our participation in the heavenly
Eucharist. With the elect throughout the ages, we participate in the eternal
worship of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We may not be eager to
participate in an eternal liturgy, finding liturgies tedious. (It is said that
the entrance procession alone at the Mass for the beatification of Archbishop
Sheen took forty-five minutes!) However, the liturgy of the Lamb's Supper is
guaranteed not to bore anyone blessed to attend.
First, it will take place in eternity where there is no
passage of time. We can think of eternity this way: In an English song, the
singer says, "I could have danced all night." Time has vanished for
her. Whether it is for the love of her partner, for the dancing, or for both,
she feels only joy. That is something like what eternity must feel. Second, the
liturgy cannot be boring because we will be captivated by whom we will see.
Today, many wait for hours to see the pope or the president; in the heavenly
liturgy, we will see Jesus and his mother, Mary! We will also see our dear
companions who have gone before us into the night of death. We won't be bored
at all.
We would like to ask how might we be chosen for the heavenly
liturgy? It is easy to point the way, although it will not be achieved without
effort. To participate in God's great feast, we must live the Beatitudes of the
Gospel today. We must trust in God like the humble poor, hunger and thirst to
live righteously, and show compassion for those in need.